🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

Having shared important (?) information with Gimal, Erika went to her room to sleep. But before that very sleep, she spent some time "digesting" the current intellectual food in the form of a "guidebook," while also filling out her diaries. And she started, for some reason, with "12 Rules for an Expeditionist"...

Erika's Thoughts mode on

Rule 1: Say "No!" to your inner gamer.
Every expeditionist has a pathological tendency towards gambling, so it is necessary to look inside yourself and ask - "do I really need this map of fate?". Perhaps the best tools for starting a new exciting story are already available...

True, gambling is evil and a tool for lining the pockets of intermediaries!

Rule 2: Accept that inequality is normal.
Not every origin, profession, and set of talents lead to the same results; some level up faster, some slower... This is life. If you start comparing your inventory and characteristics to those around you, you will only drive yourself into depression.

Yes! This is exactly about me. Luck seems to be consistently against me. Apparently, my origin is not the best (Shingen must be a terrible city), my profession as a sorceress is not right, and my talents are not quite right. Oh... if only I were from Ruzaniel, like that scoundrel, what was his name... Zibaba, that's it... He was caught red-handed, but he only served time in a pit and came out as if nothing had happened. Isn't he lucky? Of course, there are probably zombies and skeletons running around there now, but at this rate, they will reach here too, so it's not a big problem...
Profession... A sorceress, is that really a profession? A rogue, now that's a real profession! Every country has its own rogues, and some rogues even have their own country...
Talents... Well, judging by my friend and her successes, it's clear what talents are valued here... I wonder where she is now and what she's doing...
Depression? No way... How can there be depression, especially when you've been a Neferian zombie for a year now... Everything is fine! Everything is according to plan!

Rule 3: Don't become a magnet for negativity.
By doing good deeds, we attract positive energy to ourselves, and by doing bad deeds, we attract negative energy. A carelessly thrown word can lead to catastrophic consequences, so it is better to always be polite and empathetic.

Exactly! I've done too many bad things... I just walk around, not bothering anyone. And sometimes I even help Ilka and others. What should a decent expeditionist do? That's right! Steal, rob, and kill! Blood! Guts! Dismemberment!
Politeness... Well, how can you do without it... "Sir, you are offered to voluntarily donate 500 rems to save your worthless life..." - is that polite? Of course!!!

Rule 4: Find loyal friends.
An expeditionist is a social being; he may need help in completing a quest, healing, a discount in a store, and much more. With friends, all this becomes easier.

Of course! I have many friends. More than two dozen, I think... True, they are all from guild tomes, but what is, is. Well, not like that Artraxes, to have him as a friend... And there don't seem to be any others in this world...

Rule 5: Follow the rules.
Sometimes you just want to take and do something, really do something - attack the guards, for example, but it is better to refrain from such entertaining activities, as this can easily end in arrest or even a wipe. Some may say that in such situations it is better to be alone, so that a careless companion does not let you down and drag you to the bottom, but this is not the case at all. On the contrary, when the fate of your comrades depends on you, expeditionists are less likely to make rash decisions.

Well... why be so harsh... You can do it easier. Tell everyone about Sir Tanna, he will deal with them himself. With my hands, of course, but it will be much more effective: soup, roast, canned food... Or maybe some unknown magic will open up... It's strange that I didn't try it in Ginza then. Oh yes, I just didn't know the whole truth...

Rule 6: Don't forget your medicine.
First aid kits and a doctor on hand are very important, but many people forget about this. And you shouldn't.

Yes!!! A first aid kit with those syringes that Mrs. Snafgaria has! That's exactly what you need! Although, of course, the question is debatable...

Rule 7: Be vigilant.
The world is full of various dangers: go here - poisoned chests, go there - mined fruits. Therefore, it is better to treat everything that surrounds us with a healthy degree of suspicion.

True! Kill the first person you meet and sleep soundly! At least, no one will rob you...

Rule 8: Make new acquaintances, communicate, love.
There are many interesting people in our world, but to befriend them, you need to invest your time and energy in them.

I know one place where there are many "new acquaintances" and "love". It's in the capital. I've been there a couple of times. The first time was by mistake, the second time was on a guild assignment. I don't know how it is with communication, but the workers there definitely have a lot of money...

Rule 9: Make money work for you.
Don't be stingy with yourself. What's the point of rems gathering dust in your inventory?

That's right! What's the point of rems? That's why I don't have any... I didn't even get a rem for the assignment in the guild. 4 scrolls are, of course, cool, but what's the point of them when I'm in the water? In general, Mr. Tanna, thank you, of course, for the talent and fire, but I'll have to help with the bag too. After all, you need obelisks, not me...

Rule 10: Don't forget to eat.
Sometimes we can get so deeply involved in something that we forget about the most important thing - food, without which we cannot function.

That's right! Eat, eat, and eat again! Human meat! With mushrooms!

Rule 11: Don't forget to sleep in normal conditions.
Sleeping in the street is very dangerous. You can catch a cold or even lose all your belongings.

For now, there is a place to sleep. I wonder how long it will last?

Rule 12: Don't take these rules too seriously.
These are just tips, don't take them as an infallible guide...

That's right! To hell with everyone! Better to the bottom of the sea!

Erika's Thoughts mode off

Good night..